Christmas 1994
Dear Family and Friends,
Have you ever spent Christmas alone?
I’m sure not many of you have. Of all the different holidays, it seems to me that Christmas seems to be the most family oriented. Families make extra effort to be together during Christmas. Students come home, airport is teeming with people trying to get home for the holidays. Growing up, my family was no different. There was just something special about Christ. I know it was something more than just presents, the Christmas tree, the now, the Christmas vacation―I think it had more to do with “family.” Some of my happiest childhood memories are Christmas memories. There were five of us kids and there was always a lot of activity at the Tanakas. Even though we have our differences, we got along surprisingly well and really enjoyed getting together and doing things together. It was almost a given that everyone would make it back for Christmas at the Tanakas.
I’d like to tell you about my first Christmas without my family. I was a third-year medical student in Chicago. Hours were terrible, working over 100 hours per week, and trying to study without falling asleep. If that wasn’t enough my roommate and I had problems with our landlord and so we had no heat. With Chicago’s winters, it got below freezing inside. I tried to heat the apartment by burning boxes from a nearby hotel in a ben Franklin stove. I’d fill the apartment with boxes and spend one hour tearing up boxes and throwing them into the fire. I actually got the apartment to be around the upper 70’s but in a couple hours, it would be back cold again. I later gave up and wore my long underwear and jacket at all times. I studied with a light inside my sleeping bag. If that wasn’t bad enough I found rats in my apartment and they got into my rice. My roommate could not stand it and stayed at his girlfriend’s apartment.
I was cold, lonely, over-worked, and I began to question if all this was worth it. Was medicine going to bring me true happiness? One of the loneliest days of my life came that Christmas―1983. I couldn’t make it for dinner that day was rice and a can of soup. Loneliness was several times to call home but had to hang up because I got too choked up. I didn’t want anyone at home to know what I was going through or to worry about me. What could they do anyways? I so much wanted to be home that year. I missed my family and I love them.
Even though I would never want to go through that experience again, that low point in my life forced me to reflect on my life and where it was going. I felt that I should be happy, everything was going my way―good grades, getting into medical school, and the likelihood of a well-paying job if I could just persevere. Could money, success, friends, and family be counted on to make me happy? I felt society had cheated me because I knew deep down that none of these things could fill that emptiness inside of me. I needed and wanted something stable that I could base my life on, to give my life meaning and direction, even if all else fails.
What could that be? In 1984 I found what I had been searching for. I found my hope beyond this world, in the Creator of this world―Jesus Christ. Even though at this time of year we are celebrating His virgin birth, my greatest hope comes from His empty grave. The empty grave proves His deity and His power over death.
I have always believed that there is a god. To me this is evident through the beauty of nature and especially the miracle of a developing baby, knowing that every single detail and feature is somehow encoded on a blueprint of DNA that could fit on the tip of a pin. Not even the smallest microchip can even come close to match that storing capacity in such a tight package.
My mother would agree, all my life I have asked the question―” Why.” Why would such an awesomely powerful God subject Himself to a lowly birth in a stable, an agonizing death on a cross, just to be raised up again? Even Jesu did not want to die and asked God if there was any other way when He asked to “remove this cup from Me.” The Bible says that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” God sets the standards and the rules. There was no other way and Jesus gave His life as a penalty for our sins.
Why is the forgiveness of sins so important? Just like with Adam, fellowship with God is broken when we sin, because God is a holy God and can’t associate with sin. Does Jesus’ death automatically restore my fellowship with God? How about good works? The Bible says “no.” How then does one restore fellowship with God and obtain eternal life? The Bible says that there is only one way. God, as back in Adam’s time, respects our free will and He offers us forgiveness and eternal life only if we confess our sins, and accept Jesus’ payment on the cross as the only payment for our sins.
Through reading he Bile, I began learning about the most incredible person, Jesus. Could Jesus truly be God as He said He is? My heart broke as I began to know His great love for me and that He died for me. In the fall of 1984, I made the most significant step in my life and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of my life. I still have struggles with sin, but I know my fellowship with God, my Creator. I have security beyond this world that no one can take, burn, or destroy because my name is s written in God’s “book of life.” With God at my side I know I’ll be able to have peace through any of life’s painful experiences.
Now, something a little lighter―our family. We have just maxed out our Corolla wagon. June 1st, we added our 3rdcar seat with the arrival of our precious Stefanie. At birth she weighted in at 7 lbs., 8 oz. and now at 6 months, she’s tipping the scales at nearly 18 lbs. Stefanie is our easiest baby. She rarely cries and always has a huge toothless smile for you. She’s so easy makes you want another one―shhh don’t tell Lori. Stefanie’s middle name is Mayumi” which means “true beauty.” That is what we want her to develop in her life―inner qualities and character of a godly woman.
Next is our bruiser, Jonathan. He is husky, but he really is such a “softy.” He is a little timid until he gets to know you then he loves to give you bear hugs or grab onto your leg. He is a man of few words, yet he sure has that “no” down pat. We call him our “light meter” because without fail he’ll yell out “dark” every time we drive under an underpass. Being so quiet in the back seta you’d think he’s just sitting there, but he is taking in everything.
To get around saying hard names for him like “Stefanie” and “Amy,” Jonathan decided to make up his own names for them. Stefanie, he calls her “NehNeh.” Lori thinks that’s because when Amy asks, “Where’s Stefanie?” Lori often says, “Stefanie is NehNeh.” Jonathan calls Amy, “WaWa.” Where did he get this name you may ask? Well, our theory is Jonathan often did not like it when Amy took something from him and so he’d yell as loud as he could, “WaWa.” I’m glad Jonathan still calls us “Dadda” and “Momma.” I’d be afraid of what names he’d think up for us. Jonathan loves to dance. In fact, when we’re shopping if he hears some music he automatically stops whatever he’s doing and claps his hands and does a little jig for you.
Amy is our oldest at 31/2. She has turned into Jonathan’s second Mom, telling him what he should and should not do. Poor Jonathan! She is our talker. I often wonder how she thinks of so many things to talk about. Silence is a luxury that we only enjoy when the children are applying or sleeping. Amy is an eager learner and loves homeschool. She is learning about creation through the study of Genesis and is fascinated about God’s wonderful creation. We are all learning a lot and having fun at it. Did you know that a platypus is a usual mammal because it lays eggs?
My wife, Lori has also made the decision to follow Jesus. God has been tugging at Lori’s hear to begin a neighborhood Bible Study This fall, she obeyed and invited 18 women. There is no disappointment as God is working in the lives of there women as they study the Bible together.
Lori is a great mother and teacher as she is teaching Amy and Jonathan about creation. I don’t know how she does all the things she does. Having three children in three years is no easy feat.
Lori and I have been married six years. There have been many joyful times and also many struggles. Our marriage has weathered through all the struggles and disappointments at work, and through the pressures of raising three little children. I believe it is our commitment to God and our lifetime commitment to each other that has carried us through. Lori is my best friend, who I am able to share my joys, my hurts, and my weaknesses with. II love her and she is such a joy and blessing in my life.
My life has been a blur. Last year, I thanked you that God has answered your prayers and my office was fully staffed with physicians. Well, that didn’t last long, this past year two physicians resigned but now we have three new doctors. I am looking forward to this year as it could only go up from here. I am also serving on the board of directors of a crisis pregnancy center. This has really opened my eyes to the great needs out there to offer love, support, and alternatives to abortion to mothers with unplanned pregnancies. They also provide post-abortion counseling, are active in local high schools with a successful abstinence program, and offer free pregnancy testing just to name a few of their services. Lasting I have just started meeting with a fairly new believer in Jesus to train him up to be a mature follower of Jesus. I think I am learning just as much as he is, and we are building our friendship.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. You are special to us. We hope that as you spend those precious moments with your family and friends and exchange gifts that you do not forget the greatest gift given some 2,000 years ago No, it was not from the Magi, but from God when he gave his only Son. That’s really what Christmas is all about.
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Rich (for Lori, Amy, Jonathan, & Stefanie)
Have you ever spent Christmas alone?
I’m sure not many of you have. Of all the different holidays, it seems to me that Christmas seems to be the most family oriented. Families make extra effort to be together during Christmas. Students come home, airport is teeming with people trying to get home for the holidays. Growing up, my family was no different. There was just something special about Christ. I know it was something more than just presents, the Christmas tree, the now, the Christmas vacation―I think it had more to do with “family.” Some of my happiest childhood memories are Christmas memories. There were five of us kids and there was always a lot of activity at the Tanakas. Even though we have our differences, we got along surprisingly well and really enjoyed getting together and doing things together. It was almost a given that everyone would make it back for Christmas at the Tanakas.
I’d like to tell you about my first Christmas without my family. I was a third-year medical student in Chicago. Hours were terrible, working over 100 hours per week, and trying to study without falling asleep. If that wasn’t enough my roommate and I had problems with our landlord and so we had no heat. With Chicago’s winters, it got below freezing inside. I tried to heat the apartment by burning boxes from a nearby hotel in a ben Franklin stove. I’d fill the apartment with boxes and spend one hour tearing up boxes and throwing them into the fire. I actually got the apartment to be around the upper 70’s but in a couple hours, it would be back cold again. I later gave up and wore my long underwear and jacket at all times. I studied with a light inside my sleeping bag. If that wasn’t bad enough I found rats in my apartment and they got into my rice. My roommate could not stand it and stayed at his girlfriend’s apartment.
I was cold, lonely, over-worked, and I began to question if all this was worth it. Was medicine going to bring me true happiness? One of the loneliest days of my life came that Christmas―1983. I couldn’t make it for dinner that day was rice and a can of soup. Loneliness was several times to call home but had to hang up because I got too choked up. I didn’t want anyone at home to know what I was going through or to worry about me. What could they do anyways? I so much wanted to be home that year. I missed my family and I love them.
Even though I would never want to go through that experience again, that low point in my life forced me to reflect on my life and where it was going. I felt that I should be happy, everything was going my way―good grades, getting into medical school, and the likelihood of a well-paying job if I could just persevere. Could money, success, friends, and family be counted on to make me happy? I felt society had cheated me because I knew deep down that none of these things could fill that emptiness inside of me. I needed and wanted something stable that I could base my life on, to give my life meaning and direction, even if all else fails.
What could that be? In 1984 I found what I had been searching for. I found my hope beyond this world, in the Creator of this world―Jesus Christ. Even though at this time of year we are celebrating His virgin birth, my greatest hope comes from His empty grave. The empty grave proves His deity and His power over death.
I have always believed that there is a god. To me this is evident through the beauty of nature and especially the miracle of a developing baby, knowing that every single detail and feature is somehow encoded on a blueprint of DNA that could fit on the tip of a pin. Not even the smallest microchip can even come close to match that storing capacity in such a tight package.
My mother would agree, all my life I have asked the question―” Why.” Why would such an awesomely powerful God subject Himself to a lowly birth in a stable, an agonizing death on a cross, just to be raised up again? Even Jesu did not want to die and asked God if there was any other way when He asked to “remove this cup from Me.” The Bible says that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” God sets the standards and the rules. There was no other way and Jesus gave His life as a penalty for our sins.
Why is the forgiveness of sins so important? Just like with Adam, fellowship with God is broken when we sin, because God is a holy God and can’t associate with sin. Does Jesus’ death automatically restore my fellowship with God? How about good works? The Bible says “no.” How then does one restore fellowship with God and obtain eternal life? The Bible says that there is only one way. God, as back in Adam’s time, respects our free will and He offers us forgiveness and eternal life only if we confess our sins, and accept Jesus’ payment on the cross as the only payment for our sins.
Through reading he Bile, I began learning about the most incredible person, Jesus. Could Jesus truly be God as He said He is? My heart broke as I began to know His great love for me and that He died for me. In the fall of 1984, I made the most significant step in my life and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of my life. I still have struggles with sin, but I know my fellowship with God, my Creator. I have security beyond this world that no one can take, burn, or destroy because my name is s written in God’s “book of life.” With God at my side I know I’ll be able to have peace through any of life’s painful experiences.
Now, something a little lighter―our family. We have just maxed out our Corolla wagon. June 1st, we added our 3rdcar seat with the arrival of our precious Stefanie. At birth she weighted in at 7 lbs., 8 oz. and now at 6 months, she’s tipping the scales at nearly 18 lbs. Stefanie is our easiest baby. She rarely cries and always has a huge toothless smile for you. She’s so easy makes you want another one―shhh don’t tell Lori. Stefanie’s middle name is Mayumi” which means “true beauty.” That is what we want her to develop in her life―inner qualities and character of a godly woman.
Next is our bruiser, Jonathan. He is husky, but he really is such a “softy.” He is a little timid until he gets to know you then he loves to give you bear hugs or grab onto your leg. He is a man of few words, yet he sure has that “no” down pat. We call him our “light meter” because without fail he’ll yell out “dark” every time we drive under an underpass. Being so quiet in the back seta you’d think he’s just sitting there, but he is taking in everything.
To get around saying hard names for him like “Stefanie” and “Amy,” Jonathan decided to make up his own names for them. Stefanie, he calls her “NehNeh.” Lori thinks that’s because when Amy asks, “Where’s Stefanie?” Lori often says, “Stefanie is NehNeh.” Jonathan calls Amy, “WaWa.” Where did he get this name you may ask? Well, our theory is Jonathan often did not like it when Amy took something from him and so he’d yell as loud as he could, “WaWa.” I’m glad Jonathan still calls us “Dadda” and “Momma.” I’d be afraid of what names he’d think up for us. Jonathan loves to dance. In fact, when we’re shopping if he hears some music he automatically stops whatever he’s doing and claps his hands and does a little jig for you.
Amy is our oldest at 31/2. She has turned into Jonathan’s second Mom, telling him what he should and should not do. Poor Jonathan! She is our talker. I often wonder how she thinks of so many things to talk about. Silence is a luxury that we only enjoy when the children are applying or sleeping. Amy is an eager learner and loves homeschool. She is learning about creation through the study of Genesis and is fascinated about God’s wonderful creation. We are all learning a lot and having fun at it. Did you know that a platypus is a usual mammal because it lays eggs?
My wife, Lori has also made the decision to follow Jesus. God has been tugging at Lori’s hear to begin a neighborhood Bible Study This fall, she obeyed and invited 18 women. There is no disappointment as God is working in the lives of there women as they study the Bible together.
Lori is a great mother and teacher as she is teaching Amy and Jonathan about creation. I don’t know how she does all the things she does. Having three children in three years is no easy feat.
Lori and I have been married six years. There have been many joyful times and also many struggles. Our marriage has weathered through all the struggles and disappointments at work, and through the pressures of raising three little children. I believe it is our commitment to God and our lifetime commitment to each other that has carried us through. Lori is my best friend, who I am able to share my joys, my hurts, and my weaknesses with. II love her and she is such a joy and blessing in my life.
My life has been a blur. Last year, I thanked you that God has answered your prayers and my office was fully staffed with physicians. Well, that didn’t last long, this past year two physicians resigned but now we have three new doctors. I am looking forward to this year as it could only go up from here. I am also serving on the board of directors of a crisis pregnancy center. This has really opened my eyes to the great needs out there to offer love, support, and alternatives to abortion to mothers with unplanned pregnancies. They also provide post-abortion counseling, are active in local high schools with a successful abstinence program, and offer free pregnancy testing just to name a few of their services. Lasting I have just started meeting with a fairly new believer in Jesus to train him up to be a mature follower of Jesus. I think I am learning just as much as he is, and we are building our friendship.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. You are special to us. We hope that as you spend those precious moments with your family and friends and exchange gifts that you do not forget the greatest gift given some 2,000 years ago No, it was not from the Magi, but from God when he gave his only Son. That’s really what Christmas is all about.
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Rich (for Lori, Amy, Jonathan, & Stefanie)
